Summer gaming announcements have become a time-honored tradition. For years, publishers shared their biggest teasers and trailers at E3. Even now, in the tradeshow’s absence, other events have filled the void. From Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest and developer collectives like the Day of the Devs, to Nintendo Directs and Xbox Game Showcases, there’s no shortage of ways to discover upcoming titles.
We may be halfway through 2024, but there are still so many more games to look forward to. Here are our most anticipated video games of fall 2024 and beyond.
Most Anticipated Games Releasing in 2024
Afterlove EP
Afterlove EP is an admirable game for many reasons. At face value alone, it’s an intriguing slice-of-life narrative adventure that promises to tug at the heartstrings and look good while doing so. But there’s more beneath the surface.
This is a game from Coffee Talk and What Comes After creator Mohammad Fahmi, a celebrated developer who tragically passed away in 2022 at just 32. In most cases, an unfinished indie game like this would never see release. However, Fahmi’s team at studio Pikselnesia pledged to continue his work in his stead. Now, we’re about to see those efforts bear fruit.
If you dive into YouTube comments, you’ll see idiots choosing to boycott the game because the folks at Pikselnesia consulted with Sweet Baby Inc., a DEI firm that helps creators achieve more inclusive video games. Those losers only make me want this game more.
I look forward to drinking their tears with my morning coffee when Afterlove EP launches later this year.
Release Window: Q3 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Alan Wake 2: Night Springs DLC
Alan Wake II’s Night Springs DLC is already out in the wild, but that won’t stop me from singing its praises. (It released one day after its first trailer dropped no less, inviting rabid excitement.)
The DLC introduces three newly playable characters in the town of Bright Falls, guided by Alan’s voice coming from one of those talking fish decorations your dad had in the early aughts. Strange. But then again, was Alan Wake 2 ever not?
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I was hooked on the first two games but felt let down by the third. However, several years and sequels later, Origins and Odyssey gave me hope again. While I haven’t tackled Valhalla yet, Shadows has me genuinely excited, even amid the sadly predictable racist backlash.
Set in feudal Japan, Shadows intriguingly follows—at least, in part—Yasuke, the historical African samurai, a figure I’ve admired for years. While I’m wary of the typical AAA game bugs and the hefty price tag, the chance to navigate this era as Yasuke is irresistible. Fingers crossed Ubisoft delivers on this one.
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, Mac
Black Myth: Wukong
The myth. The legend. The Wu? Excuse me, the Wukong.
Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most anticipated releases of 2024. While early previews are split between calling it a Soulslike and a more traditional action RPG, the visuals and combat thus far have been impressive.
We’ll embark on this adventure as the “Destined One,” exploring a vast and unique world inspired by the Chinese mythology of Journey to the West. Already, we’ve seen transformations and a God of War-like modification system. Just know that Sun Wukong was the original staff-wielder.
Come gods, come demons, or come Buddha, the Monkey King will prevail.
Release Date: August 20, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Your dreams of playing a modern Budokai Tenkaichi game have been realized with this year’s Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. Prepare for a huge roster of characters from the Z and Super universes, featuring all the fan favorites from the biggest moments in the series.
Local co-op is restricted to the hyperbolic time chamber, with a large emphasis on the single-player and online multiplayer experiences. Of course, destructible stages, epic ring-outs, and world-shattering power-ups are back in Super Saiyan fashion. Get your hands on all the action when the game launches in October.
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
While I do enjoy the Indiana Jones films for the most part (Raiders of the Lost Ark in particular), I’ve never had much interest in the video game adaptations. That said, when I found out Wolfenstein: The New Order studio MachineGames was working on a new first-person Indy game, I was immediately hooked.
Based on the trailers we’ve seen, Great Circle absolutely nails the vibes and humor of the Steven Spielberg classics, and I have pretty high confidence that MachineGames will incorporate excellent first-person combat, stealth, and puzzle-solving mechanics. Also: Voice actor Troy Baker does a pretty solid Harrison Ford impression.
Release Date: TBA 2024
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
The moment Zelda escaped from the clutches of Ganon’s darkness and found herself overlooking Hyrule, just like Link had in Breath of the Wild, I knew Nintendo was cooking with Echoes of Wisdom. The first 2D Zelda since 2019’s Link’s Awakening remake, and first original 2D Zelda since 2015’s Tri Force Heroes (yuck), Echoes of Wisdom practically sells itself.
You play as Zelda? Sold. She has a wacky wand that can duplicate practically any household object (or enemy!) in the game? Sign me up. You can tackle puzzles with inventive, borderline game-breaking solutions, a la Tears of the Kingdom? Bro, I’m there.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Link’s Awakening on Switch, but I’m glad the engine is being put to good use. If you’re not excited about this one, I don’t know what to tell you.
Release Date: September 26, 2024
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure
Life Is Strange is one of those franchises you have to play to really “get.” The quaint bedrooms, quiet sunsets, quippy townsfolk… so much of the games’ narratives are told through the smaller, intimate interactions of everyday life. If you want some globe-trotting, world-saving adventure, that isn’t what this series is about.
And that’s what makes it so great. My experience playing 2015’s Life Is Strange and 2017’s Before the Storm was nothing short of sublime, and the whole thing took part in one tiny town with some big dangers and massive secrets. Think the drama of Euphoria, with the mysticism of Twin Peaks, and you’re in the right ballpark.
Now, after several spin-offs starring new characters, developer Deck Nine is bringing the series back to where it all started nearly a decade ago with Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. Protagonist Max Caulfield is back, and I cannot wait to see how her world has changed after the events in Arcadia Bay. Original developer Dontnod is no longer involved with the series, but I have the utmost confidence Deck Nine will do this anticipated sequel justice.
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and (at a later date) Nintendo Switch
Miss Mulligatawney’s School for Promising Girls
I am a big fan of developer inkle!, and when David pinged me about their next upcoming release, I was all over it.
The game’s title, much less its gameplay, is still TBD. From the press kit, this narrative adventure seems like it’ll invite players to explore a boarding school, avoid getting in trouble with prefects, and succeed at turning into a “perfect young woman.” School games just get to me, I don’t know why.
Am I ever an overachiever? Do I still dream of visiting a place like Hogwarts (without all the really messed up stuff)? Am I looking to do this whole “school” thing over again? Who knows! But I’ll tell you one thing—even though I know almost nothing about this game, I will 100% be playing it.
Release Date: TBA 2024
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac
Slitterhead
I miss the horrors of past Silent Hill and Siren titles, nearly as much as I continue to be enamored by Gravity Rush. Director Keiichiro Toyama, responsible for all three franchises, returns with Bokeh Game Studio’s debut game Slitterhead.
Combining elements of his past titles, Toyama’s latest game contains more action and body possession than I initially expected. The game seems to strike a nice balance between body horror and engaging gameplay, but we’ll have to wait and see to know for sure.
I was already excited about Slitterhead based on its pedigree, but the game’s concept has pushed it to the top of my list this fall.
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Starfield: Shattered Space
As this site’s pre-eminent Starfield apologist, let me just say: The Shattered Space expansion reveal hit all of the right notes. The base game’s best qualities lie in its bespoke story quests, such as the Ryujin Industries and Crimson Fleet questlines, so more of that is extremely welcome.
Based on what I’ve seen in the trailer, there’s doses of space horror, religious extremism, and bizarre combat scenarios abound, and I’m here for it all.
Release Window: Fall 2024
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars is a franchise ripe for video games, yet many games never make it out of development hell. There have been some highs (such as 2005’s Star Wars Battlefront II) and some lows (like 2017’s Star Wars Battlefront II). Despite the naysayers, I am deliriously hopeful for Star Wars Outlaws. A Star Wars game where we’re finally not playing a Jedi! A game that explores the moral gray space of this universe! A cool lady protagonist and her robot sidekick!!! I NEED IT!!! And by golly, do I hope it’s good.
Star Wars Outlaws is being developed by Massive Entertainment, best known for the Tom Clancy’s The Division games. While those large multiplayer shooters are very different from this single-player adventure, I’m hoping that means we’ll see some strong gunplay combat in a franchise that sorely needs some. As a vote of confidence, I drafted Star Wars Outlaws to my Fantasy Gaming team (to which David verbally grimaced in a recent podcast episode).
Release Date: August 30, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Most Anticipated Games of 2025 and Beyond
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I love my RPGs. While I dabble with the Fallouts and Witchers of the world, I much prefer the melodrama of Kingdom Hearts and random encounters of Final Fantasy. I grew up on those games. Their comforts feel like home.
I’ve come to expect that je ne sais quoi from Japan—not France. So, imagine my surprise when, at Microsoft’s summer Xbox presser, Montpellier-based studio Sandfall Interactive unveiled its debut title: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG.
What am I watching? I wondered. The game seemingly spawned from a parallel universe. Aesthetically, it looked like The Order: 1886. Gameplay-wise, it took its cues from the likes of Persona and Lost Odyssey. A stylish action menu gave way to flashy attacks and giant damage numbers. I spotted a turn order and contextual QTE prompts. Am I still on this planet?
I’m happy to report that: 1) yes I am, and 2) Expedition 33 exists and looks cool as hell. I have no idea what it’s about or when to expect it, but I’ll be waiting for it nonetheless.
Release Date: TBA 2025
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Mixtape
Beethoven & Dinosaur, makers of 2021’s The Artful Escape, is back to its ’80s teenage nostalgia ways. The Artful Escape was full of bright ideas, with some missteps in its gameplay execution. Mixtape looks like the reliable next steps: a mix of side-scrolling and behind-the-back 3D work, with a graceful and colorful art style.
While the trailer doesn’t say much about what the game will be, the developers have already proven themselves capable of telling an effective story of loss and discovery. I’m just pumped to see them do that while listening to Joy Division.
Release Date: TBA 2025
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Monster Hunter Wilds
*HUNTING HORNS INTENSIFY*
Ahem. Anyway. Monster Hunter Wilds looks to continue to push the bounds of what a game about giant swords, bigger axes, and even bigger beasts can be. Monster Hunter World and Rise both pushed the series in new directions by eliminating loading zones while in the field, and increasing the ways Hunters can traverse the map.
Wilds will push even further by creating a persistent game world, including hub areas. Getting into hunts themselves will be as easy as hopping on your mount and heading off into the wastes, searching for whatever trouble you can find. Add in a slew of new and returning monsters (please bring back the Legiana), and I know I’ll be pouring hours upon hours into carving and crafting. I’ll just be over here practicing my Charge Blade combos.
Release Date: TBA 2025
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Phantom Blade Zero
Phantom Blade Zero might look like a Soulslike on the surface, but its skeleton is trying to be something else. In the words of the game’s director, a man who goes by the apt mononym Soulframe, Phantom Blade Zero harks back to more old-fashioned character action games like Ninja Gaiden or Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (cue the soul-shriveling sound of Revengeance being referred to as “old-fashioned”).
Stylish character action is a genre that feels like its mindshare has been occupied by Soulslikes in general, so I’m curious to see if Phantom Blade Zero can live up to its promise of being more Ninja Gaiden than Dark Souls. The game’s demos thus far showcase some level of stamina management, a perfect parry/dodge system, and a relatively simplified combo tree and input system that still makes me think it’ll land more on the Soulslike side of the spectrum than Devil May Cry (akin to Stellar Blade), but we’ll see! As someone who enjoys the whole spectrum, I’m excited to play Phantom Blade Zero no matter where it lands.
Release Date: TBA
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Rooster
Rooster, expected early next year as the first console game from Sticky Brain Studios, looks absolutely gorgeous. There’s hand-drawn artwork evoking ancient Chinese culture as Rooster prepares a dinner party for the 11 other animals of the Zodiac for Lunar New Year. If there’s a cooking element in a game, I am all over it, and Rooster looks like it’ll deliver on that and much more.
The art and music of Rooster seem impeccable with what looks like puzzles that are just challenging enough to carry the player through its narrative. I imagine it’ll launch perfectly in time for 2025’s Lunar New Year celebrations which will come a bit early on January 29! Plus, via the team’s website, Rooster is “developed by mostly East Asian-Canadian women and nonbinary people.” Cool!
Release Date: Q1 2025 TBA
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac
Tiny Bookshop
Last October, I had a once-in-a-lifetime magical trip with one of my best friends to Scotland to work in a village bookstore AirBnB that we’d wanted to visit for over a decade. It was awesome. Ever since then, there’s a part of me that’s been chasing that high.
Tiny Bookshop looks like it’ll deliver! Announced during this summer’s Wholesome Games Direct, Tiny Bookshop will invite players to run a little bookshop by the sea in a beautiful, cozy management sim. It’ll be the first title from developer Neoludic Games; they released a small demo in early June. I can’t wait to see the finished version!
Release Date: TBA
Platforms: PC, Mac
Six New Horror Games From Blumhouse
It would be major news for horror fans if Blumhouse announced one game; however, the nascent publisher upped the ante and announced six.
Blumhouse Games is a new project by Jason Ferus Blum, famed producer of films like Get Out and The Purge series. The publisher’s inaugural line-up includes: Crisol: Theater of Idols from Vermila Studios, Grave Seasons from Perfect Garbage, Sleep Awake from Eyes Out, Fear the Spotlight from Cozy Game Pals, The Simulation from Playmestudio, and Project C by Half Mermaid Productions (made up of Immortality’s Sam Barlow and Infinity Pool’s Brandon Cronenberg). The horror collection presents an eclectic mix of styles and mechanics, and I have never been more excited to be scared from so many different perspectives.
Fear the Spotlight, the first game in Blumhouse’s lineup, is set to release in 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. The release dates and platforms for the other Blumhouse titles are all TBA.
While Waiting
I was not very good at Untitled Goose Game, but I absolutely loved the unhinged energy of chaos. While Waiting, an upcoming game from developer Optillusion, looks like it’ll bring that same humorous approach to the existential crisis of waiting.
Players have to, unsurprisingly, wait. But they have the opportunity to achieve other tasks while waiting, perhaps the things the rest of us have considered doing, like throwing a fit or doing something helpful. It looks like there will be a meaningful life journey for the protagonist, too.
Optillusion has made many puzzle games, including the lauded Moncage in 2021, but While Waiting looks to be the first that confidently strides into the comedy realm. Excited for them!
Release Date: TBA
Platforms: PC, Mac
What Are Your Most Anticipated Games of Fall 2024?
Let us know in the comments!
